We got glimpses of the charmer that Jason Castro is earlier in Sarina Bowen’s Brooklyn Bruisers series. But in Overnight Sensation, the winger who doesn’t do relationships takes center ice with Heidi Jo Pepper. What he doesn’t fully grok is team intern Heidi is the Commissioner’s daughter. Off limits doesn’t begin to describe it. And yet…
You might say these two go together like peanut butter and jelly (er, jam). Initially, Heidi is looking to hook up with Castro. With the vibes he’s giving off as the story begins, that should be the easiest thing to pull off ever. But then, tequila…and Heidi whiffs her shot.
Overnight Sensation has everything you expect in Sarina’s Bruisers books — great banter, sizzling chemistry and a heroine who handles her business. But there’s more. Heidi Jo isn’t just whiskey in a tea cup, she’s a hot pepper to boot. After dropping out of Bryn Mawr, Heidi finds herself at odds with her father who punishes her with the worst jobs in the league to force her back to school. She refuses to cave to her father’s intimidation tactics and takes on every ridiculous assignment with gusto and gumption, delivering some of the funniest moments in the book. And when she’s cut off from the life of luxury she once knew, she comes up with an enterprising solution for a side hustle.
Castro is a more-than-meets-the-eye hero. He can charm the pants off anyone (and often does), but underneath he’s complex and vulnerable in a way that belies his easygoing nature (read: he’s been through some stuff). And let’s be honest, is there anything hotter?! He’s the Dickens-quoting player with a history that tugs at your heart strings. The best part is, that past isn’t tossed out there in a line or two, it’s revealed through a series of events. Sarina plays it out for you and who Jason is makes so much sense.
In other hands, this might just be a story about a hotshot hockey player who gets with the Commish’s daughter. In Overnight Sensation, Sarina raises the bar on hockey romance, elevating the characters and the story without losing any of the fun. Overnight Sensation is sweet and sexy, hilarious, and emotional without being angsty. I adored Nate and Becca in Brooklynaire, but it’s official: Castro and Heidi Jo just took the title as my favorite Brooklyn Bruisers pairing.
I’m calling it: Overnight Sensation is the best in the series so far. 5 stars.
Overnight Sensation drops Tuesday, January 22, with a same day audio release. Get a preview listen on the StoryBites Podcast.
Get Overnight Sensation at Amazon | Apple Books